Graduates seeking jobs to make a contribution

GRADUATES in Oxford are looking for “emotional rewards” and “personal fulfilment” from their jobs, new research shows.

A survey by the Department for Education’s Get into Teaching campaign talked to 3,000 students nationwide, who were about to enter the job market, including 104 in Oxford.

Based on the Oxford figures, 52 per cent said their career motivation was to “make a positive contribution to society”.

Three quarters – 76 per cent – felt emotional rewards were more important than practical ones, while almost a third – 31 per cent – were also looking for a job that will “make them feel proud”.

The survey showed young people see teaching as a job that offers job security and a career progression path.

It comes as Get into Teaching announced its latest teacher training grants, including £26,000 tax-free bursary to train as a teacher in key subjects including science, computing, geography and languages and £30,000 to train to teach maths.

Roger Pope, spokesperson for the Get Into Teaching campaign, and chairman of the National College for Teaching and Leadership, said the survey showed teaching was an option for many graduates.

He said: “It marries the things that this cohort cares most about: helping make a difference to other people and the world around us, whilst also allowing committed and dedicated professionals to pursue their own career goals.

“As a lifelong teacher myself, I see how young people’s attitudes and ambitions change with the generations, which is something that helps to keep the teaching profession fresh too.”

Keith Ryan, a science teacher from The Oxford Academy, in Oxford, said he was “proud” to be a teacher and would encourage others to train.

He said: “I had always been extremely interested in chemistry, but after 10 years in research I wanted a new challenge.

“Ultimately, I wanted a career that was rewarding and teaching ticks all the boxes – I get to inspire people in a subject I’m passionate about, it is full of emotional rewards and I feel like I’m doing something worthwhile every day.

“It is also a structured profession where I have been supported and encouraged to develop my skills and progress.”